Sara, a 29-year-old content creator, model, and marketer from Montreal, Canada, shares her journey with Crohn’s disease. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 3, Sara’s early symptoms included blood in her stool, frequent bowel movements, and pain. Her condition was managed with medication throughout her childhood, but in 2006, her condition worsened, resulting in a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, which affected her entire digestive system.

Sara’s treatment involved numerous medications, which led to long-term complications like compression fractures in her spine. Despite this, her condition worsened to the point where, in 2008, she underwent emergency surgery and woke up with a colostomy bag, marking a major shift in her life. The surgery was life-saving, as her intestines were severely inflamed and she was malnourished. The adjustment to ostomy life was challenging, especially due to societal stigma. Sara hid her ostomy for 15 years, struggling with her self-image and the fear of judgment.

Over time, Sara underwent 4 more surgeries, resulting in a permanent ileostomy. In her late teens and early 20s, she struggled with accepting her condition. She refrained from wearing bikinis or discussing her ostomy openly, and she often Photoshopped her images to hide the bag. Her turning point came when she began opening up to close friends and received their acceptance and support, which motivated her to slowly embrace her new reality.

In 2019, Sara took a bold step by wearing only bikinis during a family vacation to Cuba, challenging herself to overcome her insecurities. This experience marked a milestone in her acceptance of her body and her ostomy. Through time and self-growth, Sara became more comfortable with her condition, even sharing it with her community on social media to raise awareness and encourage others.

Sara highlights the importance of building a supportive community for those with IBD or ostomies. She stresses that exposure and setting small challenges can help overcome fears and stigma. Connecting with others who share similar experiences, she believes, can offer comfort and help in adjusting to life with an ostomy. Sara’s journey also emphasizes self-acceptance, growth, and the importance of not comparing oneself to others but instead focusing on personal progress. After years of struggle, she now lives openly with her ostomy and works to inspire others with her story.